Insulator bushing



June 24, l1930. A. o. AUSTIN 1,766,869

' INSULATOR BUSHING I Filed July 29, 1922 mnvnmmil [g1/71151 ben 'e' j 13 n gmcntcu cannot be accidentally dropped into the transformer as in the case of the small pin which has heretofore been used. The main cap 13 can then be screwed down on the threaded end 8. A. suitable gasket 14: is placed on the end of the bushingvbetween it and the member 13 so that when the member 13 is screwed down, the gasket will be clamped tightly between the member 13 andthe bushing.

As the upper end of the member 13 is continuous, water cannot enter at that point, and the joint at the lower end of the member is sealed by the gasket 14. The gasket may be of cork or an asbestos filled copper ring or other suitable form. The end of the bushing is preferably made smooth, so that the gasket will slide in tightening down the main cap 13. The threaded end of the member 8 is of such length that it will not bottom in the recess of the member 13. This permits of the main member 13 bein drawn down tightly against the gasket to orm the seal. Whatever pressure is exerted on the gasket must be taken up by the threaded surface 8 which is an advantage, as it will increase the effectiveness of the electrical contact.

As the member 7 is prevented from rotation, it is possible to provide a snug fit be tween the threaded end and the cap member 13 to provide good electrical contact. Where it is desired to have the terminal go on easily, and where it is difficult to provide closelittings for electrical contact or where it is not necessary to provide a tight joint between the cap member 13 and the main bushing, electrical contact between the cap member 13 and the threaded end 8 may be insured by giving the threaded member a slight bend after forming. The spring in the lmember willinsure contact between the sides, even tho the thread does not fit closely. y.

Another method is to slot the member before threading. This permits the portions on each side of the slot to spring in slightly during the threading operation. When the cap member is-screwed in place, it is evident that the tendency to spring outwardly on each side of the slot will insure contact, and at the same time permit a loose fitting thread. Another way to provide a good electric contact and at the same time have considerable latitude for the screw connections, is to slot the threaded member and then spread same slightly.

It is necessary to provide a connection for the line 15 running away from the transformer. Unless this line is attached by a removable lug, it is evident that it will have to be twisted up when the cap member 13 is screwed in place. In order to rovide an efficient connection, and one whic is in line with the axis of the bushing, a socket member 16 is provided which may be attached to the end of the conductor 15. This lug 16 is prol vided with a machined surface so that it may make contact with the end of the cap member 13. In order to insure contact between the lug 16 and the cap member 13, it is necessary to provide means 17 for clamping these two members together, but which will not necessitate rotating either. This member 17 provides additional electrical Contact where it bears on the extended portion of the lug 16. By making this portion conical, it is possible to provide an increased contact surface. 1f a piece of yielding material 18 such as tin is placed between the contact surface between the lug 16 and the cap 17 it is not necessary to provide a fine finish.

Another method of insuring contact, is to provide a deformedpiece of spring brass or bronze which will give a large number of small contacts.

Still another method is to use a piece of wire screen of good conductivity which will give .a number of points of contact.

Asl the portion of the conductor under tension is comparatively short, it is evident that elongation due to heat expansion and consequent tendency to loosen the pressure on the gasket, or on the electrical contact will be comparatively small as compared to that where the main conducting lead is held at the lower end of the bushing.

It is evident that the construction as outlined, permits the soldering of the lead 15 into the terminal 16, while same is removed from the bushing. This prevents heat from damaging the bushing, contact surfaces, or gasket which might be the case if the lug 16 were integral with the member 13. If it is desired to remove the bushing to prevent breakage in shipment, or for replacement, it is necessary to first unscrew the nut 17. This frees the upper end of the bushing from the lead 15. The cap member 13 is next unscrewed, the lead 15 being prevented vfrom rotation as previously explained.

As there is clearance between the nut 12 and the sealing cap 13, the nut 12 will not be unscrewed when the ca is removed. The nut 12 holds the lead rom dropping back into the transformer where it might be dillicult to get a hold of same for replacement. A string, wire, rod or other suitable member is then attached to the member 7 by the hole 11. This attache'd member must be such that it will go thru' the opening in the member 9 and should preferably go thru the nut 12, so it will not be necessary to remove the nut before attaching to the eye 11. The nut is then removed and the bushing may be lifted out of the transformer case by removing the clamping bolts on the attached flange 2. As the bushing is withdrawn, the coi-d5, wire or other member attached to the eye in the member 7 is fed down thru the bushi-ng. This cord or member should be of suflicient length so that it or thel lead 5 may be grasped above iureaeee the top of the transformer case when the bushing has been removed suciently.

To install the bushing, the operation is carried out in reversed order.` lt is evident that the terminal permits the removal or in stallation of the bushing without the necessity of making connections other than at the top of the bushing, and that it is not necessary to disturb the transformer leads in any manner. Neither is it necessary to lower the oil level to see that connections are properly made to the inside terminals of the transformer. In addition, means are provided so that the moisture cannot enter. Means vare also provided, so that the bushing may be operated under a static head of liquid, either from the inside or outside since the joints are liquid tight and, will withstand either interior pressure or pressure from the outside lsuch as might occur from floods, ice formation on the top of a transformer or other weather conditions. i

lt sometimes happens that snow and ice build up on the top of the bushing or transformer to a height above the top of the bushing. The heat from the lead may melt the snow or ice around the central portion. rllhe water from the melted ice may be held back by the snow or ice which is further out on the bushing and which may be still frozen. ln this manner a hydro-static head may be placed on the bushing so that the drip lip 19 alone on the sealing cap i3 would not prevent the entrance ot water. Cases have also occurred, where transformers have been entirely immersed during flood conditions and it is desirable to prevent the entrance of water which'A would seriously damage the ransiormer.

it is evident that the construction is such that a tight joint may be obtained without depending on a cemented joint, as the weather cap i3 tightens up on a gasket i4 which bears directly on the dielectric member. lEven there is a leak, same may always be stopped by putting in a new gasket or tightening up the cap. Where tightnessdepends on a ce- `mented joint, trouble may result, as itis dimcult to maintain a eht joint owing to 'difierence in expansion between the cap and dielectric, particularly7 wherel the joint is several inches in diameter.

The joint between the insert 9 and the wall of the bushing is oi small diameter and easily made so that it can usually be depended upon for tightness as compared to large joints. ln addition, the bushing9 being on the inside any expansion oi same tends to tighten the joint As the danger of leakage is greatest when the bushing is hot and the oil thin and most likely to leali, this is important, and a great improvement over a cap cemented on the outside which may open and leak due to eapension.

By providing a gasket or other type of tight joint such as a cone at 20 or between the nut l2 and insert 9, two `further seals may be provided. Either of these seals are usually sutilciently good to insure a tight joint. Where high pressures are encountered a gasket 20 or a cone is very effective, for the diameter of the joint is small and any pressure tends to tighten same. rl'he use of a gasket at 2l enables the joint to be repaired or tightened any time, or the gasket may be removed. Where the joint at 2l is depended upon for tightness, a tio-ht tting nut 12 or an oil proof paint or wax lbetween the nut and thread 8 is necessary, or it is possible to prevent leakage along the thread by making a tight fit between the top face of the nut 12 and the weather cap 13 by a gasket or other means.

rlhis latter method is usually objectionable, as the nut may lock with the cap and back od when the cap 13 is removed. rlhis might permit the twisting of the lead unless a long socket is provided at l() to engage the meshing section of the conductor 7, the meshing section preventing rotation and the shoulder on the member 7 limiting the upward movement of the conductor or lead 6 and prevent` ing same being pulled loose below. lit the lead is tree to rotate, or is not drawn up to a definite point, the lower end of the lead may be displaced and cause breakdown.

l claim: y

l. A bushing insulator comprising a dielectric member having an opening for the passage of a conductor therethrough, a continuous conductor extending through said opening and having a non-circular portion and a shoulder thereon, a metal sleeve secured to said dielectric member within said opening, and having a non-circular passage engaging the non-circular portion of said conductor and having a stop portion engaging the shoulder or. said conductor to limitl outward movement of said conductor, an iniperiorate cover threaded on said conductor and closing said opening and yielding paoliving interposed directly between said cover and dielectric member and having its opposite fac-es engaging said cover and said dielectric member respectively, said packing serving to limit the movement ot said coveif`- toward said dielectric member and thus eneriJ pressure on the threaded connection between said cover and conductor.

2. lin a bushing insulator, an elongated electric member haring an opening extend# ing longitudinally therethrough, a conduc-y tor extending through said opening and pron jecting from the upper end thereof, said conductor having a non-circular portion and s. shoulder, a metal sleeve iixed within the opening of said bushing and engaging the nonecircular portion of said conductor and said shoulder ltor holding said conductor against rotation and against longitudinal movement relative to said dielectric member, a cover therethrough, a conductor extending through said opening, means ladjacent the outer end of said opening-for limiting the outward movement of said-conductor, a nut threaded on theprojecting end of said conductor, .means for preventing rotationy of said conductor in said opening, an imperforate capl threaded on the end of said conductor and having clearance for said nut, said cap making a tight joint with said dielectric member to close said opening, and means for securing a line to the end of said conductor to hold said conductor while said dielectric member is removed therefrom.

4. The combination with a bushing insulator, of a conductor having a threaded end projecting therefrom, and a terminal member threaded on said conductor, said conductor having a slight initial bend in the threaded portion thereof within the portion of said terminal member threaded on to said conductor to insure a tight lit between said conductor and terminal member.

5. The combination with a bushing insulator, of a conductor having a threaded portion projecting therefrom, means within said insulator for holding said conductor against.

rotation and an imperforate cover cap having an elongated socket threaded on the projecting portion of said conductor, said conductor having an initial bend in the threaded portion thereof, disposed 'within said socket to insure a tight connection between said conductor and cover cap. V

6. An insulator for use with a casing wall comprising a bushing insulator extending through an opening in said wall, means for forming a tight joint between said wall and vbushing insulator, said bushing insulator having an opening therethrough, a conductor arranged wlthin said opening and having an angular portion adjacent the outer end thereof, a sleeve secured Within said opening adjacent the outer end of said bushing insulator and having an angular socket for receiving the angular portion of said conductor,.said sleeve and conductor having shoulders for limiting the outward movement ofV said conductor, a nut threaded on the end of said conductorand engaging the outer end of said sleeve, an imperforate cap threaded on said conductor outside of said nut and having clearance for said nut, a gasket interposed between said cap and the end of said bushing insulator, and means for attaching a line to the *end of said conductor to hold said conductor while said bushing is being installedy or removed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 25thvday of July, A. D. 1922.

- ARTHUR O. AUSTIN. 

